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Blog Entry 20 of 65 The Front Range Reader
Books, books and more books. In my spare time, I write book blogs/reviews for websites specifically devoted to books and readers. Although I have an advanced degree in Comparative Literature (specialty in Medieval Studies) I love to read all sorts of books from medieval to modern literature, from light reading to literary.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Merrimonbooks

Secrets, passion, character and complexity

Contributed by: Merrimon Crawford   on 4/13/2007

Blackhawk's Betrayal is everything a reader could want in a short romance: passion, complex conflicts and intrigue, complicated but memorable, lovable characters, never simplistic despite the length and a fast page turner. Never once does the reader get lost.

Keira Blackhawk has lived in New York for three years. Instead of getting on the plane to Paris to study with a famous Parisian chef, she instead takes a detour that might just change her life forever. She appears in a small Texan town seeking out the truth about her past. She applies for a job at the Four Winds Hotel under the name of Kiera Daniels. Sam Prescott, the hotel general manager, eyes her with suspicion. From the first glance, he knows he needs to find out much more about this woman whose black eye can be seen faintly underneath her make-up. What attracts him --- her secrets or something more? When Keira meets Clair Blackhawk Carver, the hotel owner, she has to decide whether to befriend another vulnerable woman and keep a secret or pursue the truth she wants even if it means destroying one of them. Keira must keep secrets from the prying Sam Prescott at the same time that she feels the interference of her growing love and passion for this man. What a delightful mess for her and what a delightful complication for the reader!

Barbara McCauley creates an intriguingly complex yet tight plot in this short romance. She has a real gift for creating a memorable heroine. Keira is a wonderful mix of conflicting qualities: worldly and yet down-home, hurt by her past yet a very feisty woman indeed, strong and able to stand up for herself against bullies yet kind and supportive of those in need.

In comparison, the hero is a little less intriguing --- at least not until the end. Throughout most of the novel, he plays the role of protector of the hotel and a hindrance to Keira's goals. His motivations and depth of character are not revealed to the end. Although necessary for the plot and suspense, the delay of Sam's revelations makes Keira the most memorable character. In her preface, Barbara McCauley mentions she first introduced Sam's character in her romance Miss Pruitt's Private Life. I think I would have been more interested in Sam if I had seen him first in that book.

Most of the action centers around the hotel Adagio restaurant. The French chef riles up everyone, Keira included. The workplace scenes explode with conflict, culinary passion, and humor. I would, however, recommend that this romance not be read on an empty stomach. Make sure your next meal is not a drab cold or boring routine meal before starting this romance. The menus and dishes served by this restaurant sound tortuously delicious. Some of the literary recipes, though not all, can by found at the author's website at http://barbaramccauley.com/recipes.htm

Blackhawk's Betrayal works just fine as a stand alone novel. By itself, this romance has plot complications and characters that definitely hold the reader's interest. Nevertheless, I think my reading experience would have been or will be enhanced by reading some of the other Blackhawk romances in order to have a greater feel for the mystique of the Blackhawk family. In that context, I suspect that I would have given this book a 5 instead of a 4 rating. For that reason, I have listed below some of the other Blackhawk titles.

Other Blackhawk romances
Blackhawk's Sweet Revenge
Taming Blackhawk
In Blackhawk's Bed
That Blackhawk Bride
Blackhawk Legacy
Blackhawk's Bond
Blackhawk's Affair


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Merrimon Crawford

Arvada , CO

Merrimon Crawford has posted 65 blog entries and 17 comments since joining on 12/15/2006. Merrimon Crawford 's average blog rating is 4.82.
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